{"id":25366,"date":"2023-12-29T09:12:28","date_gmt":"2023-12-29T14:12:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/?p=25366"},"modified":"2023-12-29T09:12:30","modified_gmt":"2023-12-29T14:12:30","slug":"cotton-bowl-picks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/college-football-bowl-games\/cotton-bowl-picks\/","title":{"rendered":"Cotton Bowl Best Bets : Missouri vs Ohio State Free Picks, Predictions 12\/29"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Missouri Tigers vs Ohio State Buckeyes Best Bets: Cotton Bowl Predictions & Analysis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Football content contributor Ron Marmalefsky<\/a>\u00a0cottons up some free picks on The Cotton Bowl being played on December 29th, between Missouri and Ohio State. What are his takeaways and things to watch when considering betting? Find top free picks and best bets here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ohio State lost just once, but it knocked them out of the final four.\u00a0 Losing 30-24 AT Michigan usually is not a disqualifying factor, but like Georgia and undefeated Florida State, they were left behind.\u00a0 What a fantastic season for the Missouri Tigers.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They had some close calls, but finished 10-2, losing only to LSU and Georgia.\u00a0 It\u2019s big boy time in the bowl season, with two top tier programs in the Cotton Bowl, but at least for the Buckeyes, it may not be big enough for them to have all hands on deck.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find free college football best bets<\/a> and bowl game coverage<\/a> this postseason. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cotton Bowl Predictions and Best Bets: Ohio State Analysis <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0If this was 2024, both teams would be in the expanded playoffs.\u00a0 It\u2019s not, and Ohio State in particular will have players missing from this game.\u00a0 The new QB is Devin Brown, who did not have a pass attempt the final six games of the season.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s likely that the top three RB\u2019s will miss this game.\u00a0 Ohio State recruits extremely well, but this will be a stiff test for the untested replacements.\u00a0 I do not expect elite WR Marvin Harrison to play.\u00a0 If he shocks us and does play, I would expect it would be for only a short time.\u00a0 TE Stover will also sit out, but WR Egbuka is expected to play.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He emerged in 2022 but was injured and clearly less than 100% this season.\u00a0 I endorse his playing in this game, which could elevate his draft stock.\u00a0 I haven\u2019t seen any OL opt-outs, but as we\u2019ve noticed all bowl season, stay tuned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ohio State’s Defense Was Great… Except for ONE Game…<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Ohio State defense, expertly coached, was a top tier unit until they faced Michigan.\u00a0 In games 1-11 they allowed 102 points!\u00a0 The run defense was sound in all games except for Rutgers, and the pass defense was solid as well.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teams ended up completing 187 passes for a measly 1,769 yards!\u00a0 It looks like some starters will opt-out, but there\u2019s hope a majority will play in this game.\u00a0 That\u2019s important, because as noted below, Missouri has plenty of offensive playmakers.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kicking was solid as usual at 15-18.\u00a0 The sack ratio slumped to 22-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Missouri